Ministry of Education head of property Sam Fowler said it was aware of a number of schools experiencing supply issues with school-led projects.
The issue was affecting schools in Otago as well as Auckland, Hamilton and the Bay of Plenty, he said.
The Otago Daily Times understands Tahuna Normal Intermediate is among the schools affected.
Principal Simon Clarke said he could not comment, but tender records published online show it awarded a contract to Pacific Membrane Group for a 20m by 40m "outdoor sports canopy" in 2021 and it was yet to be completed.
A neighbouring resident of the school said the area had been fenced off and work had been under way since about 2022.
"They came along, a few of them, they dug up the whole area, laid some gravel, put fences around it and then left.
"Nothing happened. It sat empty for what seemed like forever.
"Then two guys came back with machinery last month and put the framing up in two days. It has remained like that since then."
Pacific Membrane’s sole listed director, Phillip Morrisey, said he was "unable to engage in any discussions as per [their] contracts" with schools.
Pacific Membrane is based in Tauranga and has delivered sports canopies in schools around New Zealand, including Meadowbank School in Auckland, Gisborne Central School and Weymouth Primary School.
A Gisborne Central School spokesman said its canopy, which was completed in 2020, cost about $750,000.
The ministry was assisting schools in resolving the issue and it was meeting regularly with Pacific Membrane, which it said was providing active reporting to both the schools and the ministry regarding the progress of the projects.
